• Sony (NYSE:SNE) said weak cell phone sales and lower PlayStation III console prices resulted in another quarterly loss.  The firm also said full-year prospects improved from the company's aggressive cost-cutting measures

• Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU) reported its twelfth straight quarterly loss of $269 million. The firm said it expects operating results to break even by yearend

• Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) reported third quarter earnings one cent above Zacks estimates at 40 cents, as revenues of $3.4 billion were below Zacks estimates of $4.25 billion. The company noted, "Industry sales volumes continued to show signs of stabilization"

• ITT Industries (NYSE:ITT) reported third quarter beat Zacks estimates by 14 cents a share, coming in at $1.03 on inline revenues of $2.7 billion, down 6.3%

• Coventry Health Care (NYSE:CVH) reported its third quarter of 68 cents topped Zacks estimates by 14 cents, on inline revenues of $3.44 billion, up 17.7%

• Aon (NYSE:AOC), reported third quarter

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Encouraging economic data and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s view that the recession was “very likely over" sent stocks higher for a second straight day.  A better-than-expected rise in retail sales, helped in part by the government’s cash-for-clunkers program and higher gasoline prices, eased concerns that consumers were spending with restraint. 

Speaking at a Brookings Institution conference, Bernanke, however, added a note of caution, saying, “Even though from a technical perspective the recession is very likely over at this point, it’s still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time."

This morning’s stock futures indicate Wall Street would open with gains, helped by increased M&A activity, optimistic guidance from companies, and words from Warren Buffett that Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) is "buying stocks right as we speak."

Yesterday, the 30-stock Dow Jones industrial average gained 57 points, or 0.6%, to 9,683.41, its highest point since October 6. 

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Health insurer WellPoint Inc. (WLP) reported second quarter GAAP results of $693.5 million or $1.43 per share that were in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Non-GAAP earnings, excluding net investment losses of 7 cents per share, came in at $1.50 per share. On a GAAP basis, profits declined 7.6% from the year-ago period. Total operating revenues declined 1.4% to $15.265.8 million. Operating gains from the Commercial Business segment declined 31.2% to $582.8 million. Results were affected by the increasing unemployment rate. The Consumer Business reported an operating gain of $382.1 million, up 67.7% from the year-ago period. Operating improvements in the Senior business helped drive growth in this segment. The Other segment reported a 12.5% year-over-year increase in operating gain, which was driven by growth in the company’s NextRx pharmacy benefit management operation. We were disappointed to see a significant decline in medical enrollment in ...

* McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) reported first quarter earnings of 20 cents a share, beating estimates by 2 cents as revenues fell 5.7% to $1.15 billion, inline with expectations

* Tellabs (NASDAQ:TLAB) reported first quarter earnings of 5 cents a share, beating estimates by 2 cents a share, as revenues of $362 million were down 22.1%

* Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG) reported a first quarter loss of 16 cents a share, 4 cents better-than-estimated, as revenues declined 10.8% to $1.3 billion

* Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) first quarter earnings beat by a nickel, coming in at 54 cents a share on revenues of $10.87 billion. The company said it expects 2009 earnings of $1.85 to $1.95 a share, versus Street estimates of $1.95 a share.  It expects revenues of $44 billion to $46 billion

* Office Depot (NYSE:ODP) reported a first quarter loss of 10 cents a share matching Street expectations, as revenues fell 18.6% to

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